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A gastronomy guide to Italy

Published September 29th, 2015

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Italy’s as famous for its gastronomy as it is for its fashion, art and beautiful architecture. From pasta and pizza to gelato and cappuccinos, there are multiple ways to gorge yourself silly in this fantastic country.

This chaotic and wild city is credited with being the birthplace of the humble pizza. If you’re into pizza, you’ll love Naples and you’ll find pizza is serious stuff here, with the “true Neapolitan pizza” promoted and protected by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. Traditionally cooked in a wood fired oven and topped with local fresh buffalo mozzarella, you’re in for a real treat when you taste pizza in Naples.

If you love salty seafood, Sicily should fit firmly on your list. The daily fish markets are a frenzied insight into the passionate gourmet culture of this little slice of Italy, and the food doesn’t disappoint. A speciality not to be missed is pasta con le sarde, which is al dente pasta tubes with fresh sardines, raisins, pine nuts, wild fennel and saffron. For desert, indulge in some delicious gelato, Italy’s own version of ice cream, which also originates in Sicily.

Loved the world over, the old family favourite spaghetti Bolognese originates from Bologna in Italy’s north. Traditionally made using carrots, onions, chopped beef and pork with red wine, Bologna is the place
to taste the real deal and even take a cooking course to learn how to make it the Italian way.

When in Rome, head out for some serious creamy indulgence. Carbonara is traditionally made using eggs, bacon, black pepper and cheese mixed in usually with spaghetti or linguine. This is an urban Roman dish, which has been a popular staple in the city and throughout Italy since the mid-20th century. Buon Appetito!

You can’t visit spectacular Venice without indulging in one of the nation’s favourite deserts, Tiramisu. Said to originate from the Italian province of Veneto, this indulgent treat is made up of coffee-soaked ladyfinger biscuits layered with whipped eggs, sugar and mascarpone cheese, and flavoured with chocolate.

A photo posted by Sa_Brichka (@sa_brichka) on Aug 15, 2014 at 12:58pm PDT

Milan

While you’re out and about strutting your stuff on the fashionable streets of Milan, be sure to stop in and try some of the region’s best-loved traditional dishes. Risotto originates from the north of Italy, and it’s often served independently as an entree. In Milan you’ll sometimes find it served alongside another of the region’s specialities; Osso buco – a mouth-watering stew of veal shanks, white wine and broth.